Consider your experiences with finding and assessing sources. In particular, using a personal experience as an example, discuss whether and to what extent one of the strategies in this section for evaluating sources has been or would have been helpful. Then, share your thoughts on the discussion forum. Make sure to review and respond to other students' posts, as well.
Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Considering my own experience with finding and assessing sources, I would say I most often seek out peer-reviewed sources or sources from a trustworthy database. I have only ever sought out sources digitally and often use a database provided by my school. I find that using notable databases of legitimized sources that have been peer-reviewed and fact-checked is a foolproof way to find helpful sources.
I totally agree. Relying on peer-reviewed articles are much safer.
It's great to hear that you prioritize peer-reviewed sources and trustworthy databases in your research process! By utilizing these resources, you're ensuring that the information you gather comes from reliable sources and has undergone a thorough review process.
One of the benefits of using school-provided databases is that they often contain a wide range of scholarly sources, making it easier to find relevant information for your research topic. Additionally, peer-reviewed sources are an excellent choice because they've been scrutinized by experts in the field, increasing the chances that the information is accurate and of high quality.
Your approach to finding and assessing sources is a solid strategy to ensure the credibility and reliability of the information you use in your work. Keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to explore additional strategies for evaluating sources to further enhance your research skills!
One of the benefits of using school-provided databases is that they often contain a wide range of scholarly sources, making it easier to find relevant information for your research topic. Additionally, peer-reviewed sources are an excellent choice because they've been scrutinized by experts in the field, increasing the chances that the information is accurate and of high quality.
Your approach to finding and assessing sources is a solid strategy to ensure the credibility and reliability of the information you use in your work. Keep up the good work, and don't hesitate to explore additional strategies for evaluating sources to further enhance your research skills!
Hello Catherine
Searching peer reviewed and trustworthy database has advantages. It is also good to search required articles within a specific time line.
Imdad Hussain from Pakistan
Searching peer reviewed and trustworthy database has advantages. It is also good to search required articles within a specific time line.
Imdad Hussain from Pakistan
By understanding the author's background and potential biases, you can make more informed decisions about the credibility of their information. Remember, no single strategy is foolproof, but using multiple methods like this one can significantly improve your ability to assess the quality of the information you encounter.
That's correct. Desiree Polo. It would help if the author ia known.
I agree; the more methods you can use, the more likely you'll be able to get a more well-rounded and unbiased set of information.
Totally agree. Undarstanding that the author is quite famous and doing his job on the big community will give you confidence on its credibility
Good
I Agree. Well written Desiree
One strategy for evaluating sources that I find particularly helpful is cross-referencing information from multiple sources. This strategy has been invaluable to me in various academic and professional contexts, especially when conducting research or fact-checking.
For example, when I was writing a research paper on climate change, I came across a study that made bold claims about the impact of deforestation on global warming. Initially, the study seemed credible, with well-presented data and convincing arguments. However, I decided to cross-reference the findings with other reputable sources to ensure their accuracy and reliability.
By consulting peer-reviewed articles, reports from reputable organizations like NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and expert opinions from climate scientists, I was able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. Through this process, I discovered that while the study I initially encountered had some valid points, its conclusions were overstated and lacked sufficient evidence to support its claims.
This experience highlighted the importance of cross-referencing information from multiple sources to validate the credibility and accuracy of a source. It also taught me to critically evaluate the methodology, evidence, and expertise behind each source to discern fact from opinion and ensure the integrity of my research.
For example, when I was writing a research paper on climate change, I came across a study that made bold claims about the impact of deforestation on global warming. Initially, the study seemed credible, with well-presented data and convincing arguments. However, I decided to cross-reference the findings with other reputable sources to ensure their accuracy and reliability.
By consulting peer-reviewed articles, reports from reputable organizations like NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and expert opinions from climate scientists, I was able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. Through this process, I discovered that while the study I initially encountered had some valid points, its conclusions were overstated and lacked sufficient evidence to support its claims.
This experience highlighted the importance of cross-referencing information from multiple sources to validate the credibility and accuracy of a source. It also taught me to critically evaluate the methodology, evidence, and expertise behind each source to discern fact from opinion and ensure the integrity of my research.
Olha, that's a really great way to find out what everyone's shared understanding is of a subject and also discover where they diverge.
Great Information!
In researching the elements that go into determining how to select the best home loan to buy a house, I did extensive research on the internet. I used it to identify the key elements that can be used to compare one loan offer to another: the stated interest rate; the annual percentage rate, which takes into account the fees the lender is charging; the use of discount fees to lower the stated interest rate rate; the pros and cons of a fixed rate vs an adjustable rate mortgage; and the Federal Reserve's role in determining home loan interest rates. To help me understand these ideas, I relied primarily on websites that are known to provide objective information designed to inform consumers, such as Investopedia which was founded in 1999 to provide clear and simple definitions and terminology designed to help simplify financial decisions for readers in order to help them manage their financial lives. They have strong editorial standards, a financial review board, fact checkers, and have a respected editorial team that manages its content. I also checked the Federal Reserve's website to look at its schedule of meetings in 2024. I also read several articles and discussion boards to understand other people's experience with home loans and lenders. By synthesizing non-biased, factual information with the subjective and personal experiences of others, I was able to get comfortable going out into the marketplace to shop for a home loan.
Thank you for explaining your experience, I think I would do the same once I have enough money to buy a home! Synthesizing is the key!
Mr. John Heathcliff, I dare say that your approach to researching content is very clear and to the point. Your research approach reminds me of the time when I had considered buying an automobile, using the internet sites. I had to visit different websites and compare their ads before I could decide to compromise on buying an automobile.
I recently graduated with my Masters degree and most of the discussion in this section on the reliability and credibility of sources refreshed my mind about the importance of picking peer-reviewed academic journals such as JSTOR, which is my favorite database entry whenever I search for an article. My academic experience has helped me realized the importance of searching for peer-reviewed articles in ".org, .edu," websites and databases. I think this section in particular should be encouraged by anyone who is interested in research and knowledge in general.
Congratulations on attaining your Masters! I am a big fan of the .org and .edu sites as well. I think that you make a good assessment that this information should be dispensed to those in the research and education fields. But I think that everyone would benefit from this information. It is so easy for everyday people to be swayed by an articulate, emotive story or presentation. Unfortunately, people take that without considering why that person was doing that, who paid them, how much they paid them, etc, etc. Obviously it is an ideal for everyone to have such knowledge. Thus, your comment is far more practical. But I would like to encourage anyone who cares about anything to think about their sources in critical ways so that they can actually be that much closer to the truth which is what I think that they are ultimately seeking.
In reply to Osvaldo De Leon
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Thank you for that website, I will definitely be using it throughout my college journey.
Considering my experiences, I have used hardcover documents from libraries. I have also used credible
periodical journals on specific issue for paper.
It is useful for me because the reports that are.found in are not biased to me. The credibility that I have invested into the sources are of trust.
periodical journals on specific issue for paper.
It is useful for me because the reports that are.found in are not biased to me. The credibility that I have invested into the sources are of trust.
Excellent that you are utilizing these sources for the work that you create! It's good/comforting to know that the sources that we use have been through a rigorous process to vet out biases; although, we can be sure that some biases still creep through the cracks.
When I first started looking for information on research topics, I would go to all the wrong places (so it seems now looking back with hindsight). Where there are controversial topics or where there is money to be made, someone is there claiming to be unbiased but totally having an agenda. Therefore, I eventually learned about peer-review and scholarly journals, articles, and books.
Knowing the peer-review process as described in those videos is very helpful. I knew it was rigorous, but didn't realize the rejection rate of articles to a journal. I don't know that it's a perfect system, but it is working well and keeps out a ton of simply terrible material. It is wonderful to be able to rely on our institutions to produce cutting-edge, important scholarly work.
Knowing the peer-review process as described in those videos is very helpful. I knew it was rigorous, but didn't realize the rejection rate of articles to a journal. I don't know that it's a perfect system, but it is working well and keeps out a ton of simply terrible material. It is wonderful to be able to rely on our institutions to produce cutting-edge, important scholarly work.
I totally agree Jayne. The system may not be perfect, but it works!
By understanding the author's background and potential biases, you can make more informed decisions about the credibility of their information. Remember, no single strategy is foolproof, but using multiple methods like this one can significantly improve your ability to assess the quality of the information you encounter.
The reliability of the source could be determined by the author's background. Researching about the author and review their previous work allow a subtle understanding about the reliability of the work.
With social media-specifically speaking about Tik Tok and Instagram- there is a lot of information being told to the user. This information has the potential to be credible but I believe that a lot of the information is subjective and is coming from people who aren't in authority and that can be incredibly harmful.
Completly agree. I believe that most individuals are unaware of the sphere of influence they have, particularly over social media platforms.
In daily basis when I´m doing a research, I always look for the date when it was published, from whom, the resources of the publisher and if the publisher is an expertise in the subject. Understanding if it was current information and have or not have any bias.
This is a really good point; making sure to check the date of relevancy is so important!
When researching for my history project, I encountered conflicting information online. Employing the "Check the Author's Credentials" strategy would have been helpful. Knowing the author's expertise and background could have clarified the reliability of the sources and guided me towards more trustworthy information.
When it comes to finding and assessing sources, one strategy that has been incredibly helpful for me is the practice of cross-referencing information from multiple sources. I recall a situation where I was conducting research for a term paper in college. I found a seemingly well-written article online that perfectly aligned with my topic. However, before citing it in my paper, I decided to cross-reference the information with other sources to ensure its credibility.
To my surprise, upon further investigation, I discovered that the article was published on a website known for promoting biased and unreliable information. Had I not cross-referenced the information, I might have unknowingly included inaccurate data in my paper, which could have negatively impacted my academic credibility.
This experience taught me the importance of verifying information from multiple reputable sources before accepting it as accurate. It also highlighted the significance of critically evaluating the credibility of each source, considering factors such as author expertise, publication date, and potential biases.
In the discussion forum, I would share this experience to emphasize the importance of cross-referencing sources in research. I would encourage fellow students to adopt this strategy to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information they use in their academic work. Additionally, I would be interested in hearing about other students' experiences with finding and assessing sources and learning from their strategies and insights. Engaging in discussions like these allows us to collectively improve our research skills and produce higher-quality work.
To my surprise, upon further investigation, I discovered that the article was published on a website known for promoting biased and unreliable information. Had I not cross-referenced the information, I might have unknowingly included inaccurate data in my paper, which could have negatively impacted my academic credibility.
This experience taught me the importance of verifying information from multiple reputable sources before accepting it as accurate. It also highlighted the significance of critically evaluating the credibility of each source, considering factors such as author expertise, publication date, and potential biases.
In the discussion forum, I would share this experience to emphasize the importance of cross-referencing sources in research. I would encourage fellow students to adopt this strategy to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information they use in their academic work. Additionally, I would be interested in hearing about other students' experiences with finding and assessing sources and learning from their strategies and insights. Engaging in discussions like these allows us to collectively improve our research skills and produce higher-quality work.
I agree cross referencing sources is pivotal in providing accurate information. It also forces the writer to challenge their own bias and see different points of view. This would provide a well rounded approach to presenting information.
One of the strategies I used to evaluate my sources in a previous class was to look for the articles published by University institutions, or with the “.edu” TLD. By doing this, my sources were able to give the claim in my article a stronger argument behind it.
Thanks for the .edu trick, i didn't know about that!
Thanks for sharing this information!
From my own experience, using my school's database of peer-reviewed articles has been very helpful. I also make sure a web address has ".org" ".edu" or ".gov" to make sure it is reliable.
In reply to Emma E Wellington
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
by Ashley Steigerwaldt -
Good point! Using sources such as .org or .edu is helpful for me as well.
Working in education, peer-reviewed information sources is critical in offering students accurate and reliable lesson material.
I create powerpoint presentations for work to kick off sales campaigns. I often utilize the internet to come up with different ideas to support the tactics I am presenting. I was not using ADAM and feel by utilizing those questions I would be able to feel my sources are credible.
Considering my own experience with finding and assessing sources, I would say I most often seek out peer-reviewed sources or sources from a trustworthy database. I have only ever sought out sources digitally and often use a database provided by my school. I find that using notable databases of legitimized sources that have been peer-reviewed and fact-checked is a foolproof way to find helpful sources.
Same and 100% agree
Finding and assessing sources is an essential skill in academia and beyond, particularly in today's information-rich yet sometimes unreliable landscape. One valuable strategy is the CRAAP Test. This approach involves evaluating sources based on several criteria:
First, currency—determining the timeliness of the information by checking its publication or update date. The relevance of a source to your research question is another key consideration, ensuring it directly addresses your needs. Authority is then assessed by evaluating the credibility of the author or publisher, considering their expertise and reputation. Accuracy involves scrutinizing the reliability and truthfulness of the information, ensuring it is supported by credible evidence and free from bias. Finally, purpose is examined to understand any potential bias or motivations behind the source's creation.
The CRAAP Test offers a structured method for assessing sources, aiding researchers in making informed decisions about their credibility and relevance. Through this systematic evaluation, individuals can better discern the quality of sources and avoid reliance on unreliable or biased information.
In my own experience, applying the CRAAP Test has proven invaluable in selecting sources for research papers or projects. This approach helps me avoid using sources that, while initially credible, may lack authority, accuracy, or relevance upon closer examination. By employing this strategy, I save time and effort, ensuring that the sources I utilize are reliable, trustworthy, and directly contribute to the strength of my arguments or analyses.
First, currency—determining the timeliness of the information by checking its publication or update date. The relevance of a source to your research question is another key consideration, ensuring it directly addresses your needs. Authority is then assessed by evaluating the credibility of the author or publisher, considering their expertise and reputation. Accuracy involves scrutinizing the reliability and truthfulness of the information, ensuring it is supported by credible evidence and free from bias. Finally, purpose is examined to understand any potential bias or motivations behind the source's creation.
The CRAAP Test offers a structured method for assessing sources, aiding researchers in making informed decisions about their credibility and relevance. Through this systematic evaluation, individuals can better discern the quality of sources and avoid reliance on unreliable or biased information.
In my own experience, applying the CRAAP Test has proven invaluable in selecting sources for research papers or projects. This approach helps me avoid using sources that, while initially credible, may lack authority, accuracy, or relevance upon closer examination. By employing this strategy, I save time and effort, ensuring that the sources I utilize are reliable, trustworthy, and directly contribute to the strength of my arguments or analyses.
In reply to Michael Starnes
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Hi Michael,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
The CRAAP test is certainly an excellent strategy for evaluating sources; thanks for pointing that out.
It seems to be more thorough than the ADAM approach, as it includes a purpose test, which the latter lacks.
Regards,
Vinicius
Thank you for sharing your experience.
The CRAAP test is certainly an excellent strategy for evaluating sources; thanks for pointing that out.
It seems to be more thorough than the ADAM approach, as it includes a purpose test, which the latter lacks.
Regards,
Vinicius
Completely agree! The CRAAP Test has been a game changer for me too ~ it's amazing how much it can help clarify the credibility and relevance of sources, and save time in the long run.
Personally I would not use social media as any kind of source. Up to date news can be found on any reputable news' website. It has become increasingly easier to create accounts masquerading as authorities these days.
I am a huge fan of Wikipedia as a starting point. While it is hard to keep bias out of the articles, the bibliographies can be invaluable. They can lead to many great sources I would not have thought to seek out.
The ADAM Approach is a great way to access sources. This will be extremely helpful in ensuring that the sources procruded in the future are realiable and creditable.
Brianna, Agreed and I see the "A" for age being an extremely important part of the ADAM approach to ensure the information found is still current.
Jamie, agreed. Especially in fields that are ever changing with advances in technologies and new methods of data collection. An article or study from the early 2000's may not be relevant when compared to one from the last 5 or 10 years.
I start with international organisations, then try and search for more specific items. Sometimes very difficult. ChatGPT also can be used to refine your search.
Considering my own experiences with finding and assessing sources I always checked if the information is trustworthy and reliable to avoid any conflicts.
For me on assessing and finding sources I would look into sources that have a consensus of people that agree about the topic at hand. Opinions change all time. It never hurts to keep an open mind on the concept of having to change an opinion
The internet being a common tool by the time I entered middle school meant that a lot of these tools for evaluating sources were taught to me young. How to use google properly to generate the results I was looking for, and the different the domain endings (.gov, .edu, etc.) and how they may help in determining the type of information and where it was coming from. Then in college writing papers for scientific major meant finding and analyzing a lot of peer reviewed journal articles.
When I was in school, I referenced journals and newspaper on film at the library. No access to the internet like we do now.
Love a good acronym-ADAM Approach will now forever be ingrained in my head when looking at sources.
In the course of my higher education, the need for credible sources is necessary. In order to write concise, convincing, and compelling work, you must pull from credible sources. I have used non-credible sources to add humor to an informal paper, but in a professional or academic setting it is a requirement. Even in these discussion forums, quoting material from reliable and credible sources provides a stronger impact to the post, and and clarity to reader.
In reply to First post
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
In the era of social media, strategies for evaluating sources are fundamental. Even on Wikipedia, always check the references section. I just have a slight disagreement with the approach to self-published content. In my opinion, much open-source content has great credibility. Take ArchWiki's credibility, for example. I think it's a highly credible source of information, even though it's not validated by any third parties.
Cross-referencing information from multiple sources works best for me. Minimim 3 sources.
In one instance, I was instructed to create a research paper covering the familial consequence of WAR-related PTSD. The advice regarding the search query would have helped save me a lot of time as well as narrow down the minute aspects of my research paper. It would've given me more material to work with as well.
I agree with you hear. I feel that research paper will always come with a lot of work. I feel like when working with research paper its often difficult to find one site or one place that will have every piece of information u may need. As I stated in a previous post sometimes the more information the better. I feel like if we were knowledgeable on some of these methods it would have made writing paper so much easier.
Oftentimes when I search something the first few results that come up are all advertised. I often have searches come up that only feeds the confirmation bias. When I turn off my location and get the result from US location by default, I realize how much manipulation happens when it comes to information publishing. I get completely different results in different location.
That's why I usually look more down toward and always always think twice even when I see something I agree with.
Confirmation bias is so real.
That's why I usually look more down toward and always always think twice even when I see something I agree with.
Confirmation bias is so real.
Hey there!
Your observations about online searches completely resonate with me. It's frustrating when the top results seem to be more about advertising than actual relevance. And you're spot on about confirmation bias creeping in through search results tailored to our location or past behaviors.
Your observations about online searches completely resonate with me. It's frustrating when the top results seem to be more about advertising than actual relevance. And you're spot on about confirmation bias creeping in through search results tailored to our location or past behaviors.
In reply to First post
This forum post has been removed
The content of this forum post has been removed and can no longer be accessed.
Oh I totally agree with you by wanting to use one source or site that will provide everything you need right in one place. Often times writing paper can be overwhelming. When I was getting my associates in Criminal Justice I tried not to use more than 5 to 6 sources because sometimes everything was not in one place and it was overwhelming but it allowed me to get the job done. I feel like certain paper require you to use more sources such as research papers. I feel like paper based off just what you know or the textbook for a particular course requires less going back and forth finding creditable sources.
First, I am going to start off by saying how I find my information depends on what type of paper I am needing to write. When I was obtaining my Associates in Criminal Justice we had to write several paper and I remember for our final we had to complete a paper about a serial killer. I chose to talk about the Zodiac Killer because it seems like they had information on the individual but never found and arrested the individual responsible for the killing. Finding the needed information seemed easy but making sure that everything I was speaking about was factual was creditable was most important to me. I ended up using 6-10 creditable sources that I knew would be accurate because I double checked and verified the same information within out sites that I had been using. Newspaper articles, report from journalist that had been covering the case for years ,and also shows that may be found on different investigation channels. I decided to go with using domain creditable sites when completing my paper because I knew when speaking about the zodiac killer I would need to be as accurate as possible. I did watch a couple of podcasters speak about the zodiac killer and I only found one podcaster to have proof from sites that they had got their information from, but again I wanted to make sure everything that I did decide to use was going to hold weight and not put any false information out.
When assessing sources, a strategy I've found particularly beneficial is examining the author's expertise and credentials in the field. By delving into the author's background, such as their qualifications, affiliations, and experience relevant to the topic, it provides a solid foundation for evaluating the reliability and credibility of the information presented. This strategy allows me to gauge whether the author possesses the necessary knowledge and authority to speak on the subject matter, thereby helping to ensure the accuracy and trustworthiness of the source.
Checking their credentials is an excellent idea!
I have used a few of the sources mentioned to write an essay. Fortunately, I was lucky to gain access to peer-reviewed journal articles through my local library. This allowed me to research multiple sites in sifting out the articles I found bias. So, if you’d like to save yourself some money and even time; sign-up for a library card to utilize their resources for free. Good luck.
I believe that cross reference and peer reviews are very beneficial sources outside of all of your online and scholarly published sources. Not only do you pick up on things that you have missed that they have pointed out, but they can also tell you if information seems to be incorrect according to their research as well.
A few years ago, I was researching a controversial topic for a paper. As I delved into various sources, I encountered conflicting information from different sources, making it challenging to discern which perspective was more accurate and reliable. In this situation, I found that cross-referencing sources was a crucial strategy for evaluating the credibility of the information. By comparing information from multiple sources, I was able to identify common themes and discrepancies, which helped me assess the reliability and validity of the information presented. For example, I came across a statistic regarding the prevalence of a particular phenomenon, but it seemed unusually high compared to other estimates I had seen. To verify its accuracy, I cross-referenced it with data from reputable organizations and academic studies. Through this process, I discovered that the original statistic was inflated due to a methodological flaw in the study it was based on, highlighting the importance of critically evaluating sources.
I've used JSTOR back in high school and still used it in community college, it's been one of the most valuable things in my education.
I agree - JSTOR was introduced to me in high school as well, and I have referred back to it in my current studies.
When writing research papers, or citing sources, I tend to rely on peer-reviewed works. This is always a reliable method for me, and often times leads me to find more sources. I use Google searches sometimes to help with a starting point.
When researching mental health resources for a friend, I realized the importance of critically evaluating sources. I encountered a website claiming to offer expert advice, but the author lacked mental health credentials. Using the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) would have helped me evaluate the source more effectively. I learned that checking author credentials and bias is crucial to ensure reliable information. I'll apply this strategy in future research to make more informed decisions.
I couldn't agree with you more! Knowing how crucial it is to have a peer reviewed source.
Throughout high school research assignments I used magazines and articles for most of my sources and was almost always penalized for not using credible sources. Understanding a scholarly information source would have helped me tremendously. It also helps to understand how to evaluate information sources that were never published. I would have greatly benefited from these tricks.
With my experience on looking for credible sources, I have mainly used to strategy of looking at peer-reviewed articles. This was often a strategy that was highly suggested by my past teachers. However, I wish I knew more about the strategy of reviewing the authors C.V/resume. This strategy would have been useful for me in the past so that I could review the authors of some articles I was hesitant about.
Already being using scholarly articles but this chapter made me aware of more useful articles search
Using the ADAM approach would have made my sources stronger for one of my reports in college. For example, we had to do a paper on a case study regarding increasing membership at a nonprofit. Three sources were the minimum and they had to be peer reviewed. While I used some of the approaches from ADAM, using all of them in a systematic way would have been a more streamlined process to ensure strong and relevant sources for my report.
using the ADAM approach could have greatly enhanced the strength of your sources for your college report. Focusing on an organized and systematic application of all the elements of the ADAM approach would have likely providedned process for a more streamliensuring the relevance and strength of your sources. It's always beneficial to reflect on past experiences and consider ways to improve for future projects. Great post Odile!
When I was writing a research paper on climate change, I came across a website that claimed to have scientific data supporting climate change denial. At first, the website looked professional and convincing, but I was skeptical because it didn't seem credible. I decided to use the strategy of checking the author's credentials and affiliations. I looked up the authors of the website and found that they were not climate scientists but rather had affiliations with organizations known to promote anti-climate change agendas. This strategy was helpful in assessing the credibility of the source and helped me realize that the information was likely biased and unreliable.
In my recent research project on the effects of social media on mental health, encountered a variety of sources that ranged from academic articles to personal blogs. One strategy that proved incredibly helpful in evaluating these sources was the emphasis on utilizing peer-reviewed literature.
During my search, I came across an article on a popular health blog that discussed the correlation between excessive social media use and anxiety. While the blog post was engaging and had a lot of anecdotal evidence, I knew I needed to find more reliable data to support my arguments. This is where the emphasis on peer-reviewed sources came into play. When I shifted my focus to finding peer-reviewed articles through databases like JSTOR, I found several studies conducted by researchers in psychology and sociology. These articles provided empirical data, rigorous methodologies, and had undergone scrutiny by experts in the field. For instance, one study analyzed social media usage patterns among adolescents and their reported levels of anxiety and depression. This kind of evidence was crucial for substantiating my thesis. Additionally, reviewing these peer-reviewed articles allowed me to assess the strengths and limitations of the research. The studies often included discussions about sample sizes, potential biases, and areas for further research, which helped me understand the broader context of the topic.
In conclusion, the strategy of prioritizing peer-reviewed sources not only enhanced the credibility of my work but also enriched my understanding of the subject matter. It taught me the importance of relying on thoroughly vetted information, especially when addressing complex issues like mental health.
Thanks
This is a good experience that teaches one to be a better critical thinker and resources analyst
This is a good experience that teaches one to be a better critical thinker and resources analyst
One of the strategies that would've helped in High school and through college is the ADAM Approach. It's catchy and very helpful. That would have made finding credible sources a lot easier.
Yes, I also love it
I try and grab as many sources as, and then try and find a common thread in between them all
In my own experience, I find it best to use credible online platforms with official .edu or .gov endings.
Here’s a shorter version:
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is checking the author’s credibility. In a past project, I encountered conflicting information and found that authors with relevant expertise offered more reliable insights. This approach helps filter out misinformation and ensures you’re relying on trustworthy sources, improving the quality of your research.
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is checking the author’s credibility. In a past project, I encountered conflicting information and found that authors with relevant expertise offered more reliable insights. This approach helps filter out misinformation and ensures you’re relying on trustworthy sources, improving the quality of your research.
Ensuring to cross reference sources when dealing with non-academic articles has been essential to gathering an accurate analysis of a given subject. Not putting my trust into websites like Wikipedia and instead using them to inform myself of the broad strokes of a topic and direct my research to more specialised, reputable sources has proven highly valuable.
Cross referencing is very important when using online sources.
When finding and assessing sources, checking the credibility of the author and publication has been very helpful. For example, while preparing content for social media at my current position, I needed to ensure that health tips were accurate. I came across an article but found the author wasn't a certified expert, and the site had a history of misinformation. This strategy prevented me from sharing unreliable information. It reinforced the importance of evaluating sources to maintain trust and accuracy in my work.
I didn't know about the ADAM. There's no wonder why my research paper has been disapproved. LOL.
I actively use peer reviewed sources daily, and I am very conscious of questioning the reliability, validity, authority and accuracy of sources, and the way that weak sources are often used to justify weak or primarily emotive arguments. So I use all of these techniques on a regular basis.
Considering my experience with finding and assessing sources, I do like to use the CRAAP method to evaluate potential sources. The CRAAP method is something I recently learned about in a public speaking class. The CRAAP acronym stands for currency, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose.
Forum Post: Evaluating Sources Through Personal Experience
In today’s digital age, evaluating the credibility of sources is more critical than ever. I’d like to share a personal experience and discuss how one particular strategy for assessing sources was instrumental in ensuring the reliability of the information I used.
Personal Experience: Evaluating Source Credibility
A few years ago, while working on a research paper about climate change, I encountered a variety of sources online, ranging from academic articles to blog posts. One blog post I found claimed to offer a “revolutionary” new perspective on climate change that contradicted well-established scientific consensus. Intrigued, I needed to determine whether this source was reliable or just another example of misinformation.
Strategy for Evaluating Sources: Checking Author Credentials
One of the key strategies I employed was checking the author’s credentials. This strategy proved incredibly helpful in assessing the credibility of the source. Here’s how I applied it:
Author Background: I researched the author’s background to understand their qualifications and expertise in climate science. I found that the author of the blog post had no formal training in environmental science or related fields. In contrast, the academic articles I was referencing were authored by climate scientists with years of research and professional experience.
Publication Reputation: I also looked into where the blog post was published. The blog lacked affiliation with reputable scientific organizations or academic institutions, whereas the academic articles were published in peer-reviewed journals with rigorous review processes.
Cross-Verification: To further verify, I cross-referenced the claims made in the blog post with those found in established scientific literature and reports from credible institutions like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The blog’s claims were not supported by any reputable sources, and the information was inconsistent with the broader scientific consensus.
Reflections and Discussion
This strategy of checking author credentials and publication reputation was pivotal in ensuring the credibility of my sources. It helped me avoid incorporating unreliable information into my research paper and reinforced the importance of relying on experts in the field.
In your experiences with finding and assessing sources, how have strategies like evaluating author credentials, checking publication reputation, or cross-referencing information impacted your research? Have you found other strategies particularly useful or challenging? Share your thoughts and experiences!
Responding to Other Students’ Posts
Student A’s Post: “I’ve often relied on cross-referencing information from multiple sources, but I find it challenging to determine which sources are genuinely credible.”
Response: Cross-referencing is a great strategy to validate information. It’s helpful to use a mix of sources, especially those from recognized experts or institutions. Have you considered looking at the credentials of the authors and the reputation of the publications as additional ways to gauge credibility?
Student B’s Post: “I usually check the publication date to ensure the information is up-to-date. However, I’ve struggled with distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources.”
Response: Checking the publication date is indeed important, especially in rapidly evolving fields. To further assess credibility, you might also look into the author’s background and the source’s affiliation. This can help you evaluate whether the information is not only current but also reliable.
By sharing and discussing these strategies, we can all improve our skills in finding and assessing sources, leading to more robust and credible research outcomes.
In today’s digital age, evaluating the credibility of sources is more critical than ever. I’d like to share a personal experience and discuss how one particular strategy for assessing sources was instrumental in ensuring the reliability of the information I used.
Personal Experience: Evaluating Source Credibility
A few years ago, while working on a research paper about climate change, I encountered a variety of sources online, ranging from academic articles to blog posts. One blog post I found claimed to offer a “revolutionary” new perspective on climate change that contradicted well-established scientific consensus. Intrigued, I needed to determine whether this source was reliable or just another example of misinformation.
Strategy for Evaluating Sources: Checking Author Credentials
One of the key strategies I employed was checking the author’s credentials. This strategy proved incredibly helpful in assessing the credibility of the source. Here’s how I applied it:
Author Background: I researched the author’s background to understand their qualifications and expertise in climate science. I found that the author of the blog post had no formal training in environmental science or related fields. In contrast, the academic articles I was referencing were authored by climate scientists with years of research and professional experience.
Publication Reputation: I also looked into where the blog post was published. The blog lacked affiliation with reputable scientific organizations or academic institutions, whereas the academic articles were published in peer-reviewed journals with rigorous review processes.
Cross-Verification: To further verify, I cross-referenced the claims made in the blog post with those found in established scientific literature and reports from credible institutions like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The blog’s claims were not supported by any reputable sources, and the information was inconsistent with the broader scientific consensus.
Reflections and Discussion
This strategy of checking author credentials and publication reputation was pivotal in ensuring the credibility of my sources. It helped me avoid incorporating unreliable information into my research paper and reinforced the importance of relying on experts in the field.
In your experiences with finding and assessing sources, how have strategies like evaluating author credentials, checking publication reputation, or cross-referencing information impacted your research? Have you found other strategies particularly useful or challenging? Share your thoughts and experiences!
Responding to Other Students’ Posts
Student A’s Post: “I’ve often relied on cross-referencing information from multiple sources, but I find it challenging to determine which sources are genuinely credible.”
Response: Cross-referencing is a great strategy to validate information. It’s helpful to use a mix of sources, especially those from recognized experts or institutions. Have you considered looking at the credentials of the authors and the reputation of the publications as additional ways to gauge credibility?
Student B’s Post: “I usually check the publication date to ensure the information is up-to-date. However, I’ve struggled with distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources.”
Response: Checking the publication date is indeed important, especially in rapidly evolving fields. To further assess credibility, you might also look into the author’s background and the source’s affiliation. This can help you evaluate whether the information is not only current but also reliable.
By sharing and discussing these strategies, we can all improve our skills in finding and assessing sources, leading to more robust and credible research outcomes.
One of the strategies in this section that has been beneficial is checking if the source has been written by a person or has been generated. There are many ways to check this most of them involving searching for more information about the author and checking the style of the writing to make sure that sources are used throughout the text.
It has become hard to access the truth on internet. And as I do not pick research articles that often for my studies, I go through various publications of well-known media houses available on internet. For which, I myself have preferred every time to have a look on the author and if there is any particular agenda which the website is promoting implicitly.
In my experience with finding and assessing sources, the strategy of cross-referencing information has proven to be incredibly helpful. For instance, when I researched the impact of social media on mental health for a presentation, I initially relied on a popular article that provided a compelling overview but left me uncertain about its claims. To ensure the information was credible, I cross-referenced it with academic journals and reports from recognized mental health organizations. This process revealed a more nuanced picture: while some claims were supported by solid research, others were exaggerated or insufficiently backed by empirical evidence. By looking at multiple sources, I was able to present a more balanced perspective in my presentation and effectively address potential counterarguments. This experience underscored the importance of not taking information at face value and highlighted how crucial it is to validate claims through rigorous evaluation.
I would say for my own experience it is looking for celebrity gossip. I will say in my free time I like to dig into things and just see what is going on. I noticed and had to find out that not all gossip sites are true. I believed everything posted was real and would take their word and use to have discussions. I then learned finding reputable sources was important and how incorrect information could truly impact someone's life and lively hood.
Whenever I find a source for information, regardless of the context, I always assess the source for validity and author experience. I have searched for many things over my career and have found that just because someone writes an article, book, or post, they do not always have the experience to know the details of what they are writing about.
I had an ex once send me an article about how undocumented immigrants were going to get access to free loans or money to use to buy property under a new California law that was either being proposed or was on its way to being passed. It only took me five minutes to read the article and see the real explanation of the law to understand he was being entirely mislead and manipulated. This website was not a reliable source, they didn’t do due diligence in explaining the law and clearly had an agenda of angering their viewer base. The new law gave Americans under the DACA program the ability to one day own property with a delayed interest loan. There was no free money and it’s a program structured by a loan agency that would benefit financially from this arrangement. There was no free money being given to anyone. My ex just automatically believed what he read and did not do any assessment or investigation of the article he was reading and sending to other people.
When finding and assessing sources, it is helpful to use a database that helps you refine search results for peer-reviewed results only. It's also important to consider when the source was published since some topics require the most up-to-date information, such as when researching the latest medical techniques or technology. However, sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what you're looking for so it's important to learn how to properly search to yield the most relevant sources you are looking for.
It's important to assess your sources when you find them because if your sources are invalid, you can end up embarrassing yourself when you don't have all of your facts. This has happened to me a couple of times where I had gotten into an argument and the other person debunked my statements with pure logic. I had to stop and research my points in order to come up with valid arguments so I didn't feel foolish. So, always research your points before presenting them to have a solid argument.
Thanks for that
Specifically, the advice on the validity of a source (looking for the curriculum vitae) is SUPER helpful. It would make debate much easier, as it is a clear way for me to find good sources for cards. Also, the reliability and authority advice is good for comparing cards, which also makes debate much easier.
onsidering my own experience with finding and assessing sources, I would say I most often seek out peer-reviewed sources or sources from a trustworthy database. I have only ever sought out sources digitally and often use a database provided by my school. I find that using notable databases of legitimized sources that have been peer-reviewed and fact-checked is a foolproof way to find helpful sources.
The CRAAP method is a method I return to again and again. The internet & social media constantly provide misinformation that is often times politically charged. I've recently come across edited information about certain celebrities and their stances on political candidates. I've used this method to help share with others why this information is incorrect and provided sources of how I know.
I had to look this up. Nice.
Finding and assessing sources has been essential in my studies, especially in my Communication and Media major, where understanding media literacy and source reliability is critical. One strategy that stands out to me is evaluating the author’s credibility. I realized its importance while working on a piece about AI and ethics in marketing. Initially, I came across a few credible articles, but a closer look at the authors’ backgrounds showed they were less experienced in the field. By cross-referencing with more reliable sources, like academic journals and industry experts, I can ensure that the information I use have depth and accuracy.
By understanding the author's background and potential biases, you can make more informed decisions about the credibility of their information. Remember, no single strategy is foolproof, but using multiple methods like this one can significantly improve your ability to assess the quality of the information you encounter.
when finding and assessing sources I usually cross check the information I got and sometimes seek for proof reading to my peer.
My first take on searching a topic is looking it up on all the free Ai platforms like Chat GPT, Perplexity, Copilot etc.
Then I will run a search on google to get different opinions. Looking up videos around the event and the last place is to look at a scholarly article.
This approach allows me to get the full spectrum and then separate facts from fiction
Then I will run a search on google to get different opinions. Looking up videos around the event and the last place is to look at a scholarly article.
This approach allows me to get the full spectrum and then separate facts from fiction
When I´m doing a research, I always look for the date, author and the resources of the publisher and if the publisher is an expertise in the subject. Didn't want to use a fake/ unlegit resource
Accessing trustworthy resources is essential for making a good decision. A good example would be to look at a .gov web page for information about a government activity. For many and most people that would be sufficient to make a decision or form an opinion.
In my experience, I have relied too much on Wikipedia as a source of information when I am just looking for a quick source of information. I know that this source is unreliable and tampered with, but it is so easy to assess and understand. I want to start relying more on peer reviewed articles in order to get more reliable information especially as I start writing papers that will require reliable resources.
While peer-reviewed science articles are the go-to for research, lots of things will be focused on specific countries. Therefore, it might prove necessary to learn foreign languages to truly take advantage of the best quality books and articles on specific subjects because of the difficulties faced by translating valuable information to English.
In my experience, checking the credibility of a source by evaluating the author's expertise has been very helpful. For example, when researching for a logistics project, I relied on articles written by industry experts with relevant credentials. This ensured the information was accurate and reliable. Verifying the author’s background is a strategy I will continue to use to assess sources effectively.
In reply to First post
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
My needs for searching on the Internet have been more of a technical nature. Stackoverflow.com is a site I visited often. It has as sister website called Stackexchange. What is interesting to me is how the quality of the answers to all kinds of questions are voted up by the users themselves, with the occasional intervention of the pertinent moderators.
I had a difficult history course this semester that had us turn in a two page source evaluation every week. Much of the topics in this section were part of the evaluation process including evaluating subjectivity and type of domain. I was able to find a few sites that were new to me for historically information outside of scholarly journals such as jstor.
I just looked up jstor and as someone who doesn't have access to university databases and just wants to learn in their own time, I'm really grateful.
One strategy for evaluating sources is checking the credibility of the author. In my experience, when I was working on a research project, I found an article that seemed informative but was written by someone without relevant qualifications. Realizing this, I decided to look for sources authored by experts in the field. This strategy helped me find more reliable information and strengthened my project. It taught me the importance of verifying who is behind the information I use, ensuring that I rely on credible and authoritative sources.
In my personal experience, one strategy from this section that has proven to be extremely helpful in evaluating sources is assessing the author's credentials and expertise in the field.
A few years ago, I was researching the impact of artificial intelligence on employment for a college paper. I came across an article that claimed AI would replace most jobs within a decade, leading to massive unemployment. The claims seemed exaggerated and raised some concerns about the credibility of the source. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the author was a freelance writer with no specific expertise in AI, technology, or economics.
This realization prompted me to be more critical of the article's content and search for sources authored by experts in AI, technology, and labor markets. By doing so, I found more balanced and well-researched information that provided a nuanced perspective on the topic.
This experience taught me the importance of evaluating an author's credentials when assessing the credibility of a source. While it might not be the only factor to consider, it has certainly helped me sift through information and make informed decisions about which sources to rely on for accurate and reliable information.
A few years ago, I was researching the impact of artificial intelligence on employment for a college paper. I came across an article that claimed AI would replace most jobs within a decade, leading to massive unemployment. The claims seemed exaggerated and raised some concerns about the credibility of the source. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the author was a freelance writer with no specific expertise in AI, technology, or economics.
This realization prompted me to be more critical of the article's content and search for sources authored by experts in AI, technology, and labor markets. By doing so, I found more balanced and well-researched information that provided a nuanced perspective on the topic.
This experience taught me the importance of evaluating an author's credentials when assessing the credibility of a source. While it might not be the only factor to consider, it has certainly helped me sift through information and make informed decisions about which sources to rely on for accurate and reliable information.
Your reply is the best so far. Because I think it really answers the question about your experience on the authoritative part.
Interesting. Honestly, maybe it's best to look into the author before starting to read the information source. That way, we know whether or not it's reliable before investing all that time to read, and what, if anything, we can use it for.
One of the more difficult times I have had finding credible and unbiased sources was when I was writing a series of papers on the Zodiac Killer. This is a topic that is extremely emotionally charged and required a lot of work on my end to sort through sources that were not considering all the facts and/or trying to make people angry and what to take action on the topic. While I do not think any of these sources should have been less emotional because of the nature of the topic, it would have helped me to have the idea of confirmation bias at the forefront of my mind when sorting through sources. This would have helped me to identify which sources have the least amount of bias on a topic that has no definite answer and varying views on what is accurate and what is not.
Cross-referencing sources has been beneficial to me. When seeing today's news, we can find much contradictory information. Cross-referencing the sources those news articles use brought me to the right information.
I usually search articles from google scholar or ERIC data base, using a strategy to search out latest and most relevant as per key words.
One strategy for evaluating sources that I’ve found particularly helpful is assessing the credibility and reliability of the source. This strategy has been especially important when researching for academic or professional purposes, where the accuracy of information is critical.
Hello Sarath,
I agree with you that the reliability is very important when looking for research. It's important to see if the people that are reporting these topics have any credentials that make them a reliable source of content or if the article is mere gossip and just mostly anecdotal
I agree with you that the reliability is very important when looking for research. It's important to see if the people that are reporting these topics have any credentials that make them a reliable source of content or if the article is mere gossip and just mostly anecdotal
Drawing on previous experience, one of the ways I've found really helpful at finding research on specific topics is utilizing the Boolean operators while using a search engine. Especially when working on a topic that can give you hundreds of thousands of results this is an easy way to narrow things down into a precise pool of information. In particular the AND was really helpful to me when searching for information that was about a certain topic but within the context of another more specific topic. Using this was helpful and saved me quite a bit of time weeding through information just to see it was more general and didn't talk about the specific side of the topic I was looking to research.
Good point. Using Boolean operators helped me find the journal articles I was looking for when writing my dissertation.
I agree with this and I think I would have to take more to using the Booleans.
While these skills and strategies are obviously useful in academic and professional settings, I think they can also be extremely useful when simply engaging with the news or interacting with other people. There's an awful lot of misinformation out in the world today, and being able to identify it quickly is vital to minimizing its impact. For example, I often see articles shared on Facebook with inflammatory headlines that immediately heighten people's emotions. Knowing how to quickly identify the credibility of the source and track down accurate information about events is often necessary for staying on top of what's actually happening.
While writing my dissertation, I used various scholarly, peer reviewed sources, non-academic sources such as news websites and blogs, and government statistics. It was important to use the correct sources for different pieces of information I was trying to share in the paper. Using some of the strategies listed here come in handy when consuming statistics, research, and news items on a daily basis. Being able to identify reliable information from rumor is important.
When finding and assessing sources for research papers I find the best method is ensuring author and site credibility. I check for the authors credentials, dates, reputation of the source and bias. Also, evidence from multiple creditable sites that will support the claims.
considering my experience as a peer reviewer and a research student, I think peer-reviewed resources are better than non-peer-review resources.
Even though I am so lazy that I have not much have to look for resources online.
But I was once given assignment to write on "Important Habits a Students Should cultivate".
So I heard to search randomly and tried to get the particular things about my research, but I am not able to. And with that, I linked the non in depth resources with my research.
But I was once given assignment to write on "Important Habits a Students Should cultivate".
So I heard to search randomly and tried to get the particular things about my research, but I am not able to. And with that, I linked the non in depth resources with my research.
It depends on what I'm researching but I try to access as broad of resources as possible and not just stick with the general accepted resources. Information comes in all shapes and sizes and sometimes we need to put our thinking cap on and not just swallow the "excepted sources"
One strategy for evaluating sources that I have found particularly helpful is the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose). This method ensures that the sources I use are credible and relevant to my research.
For example, during my undergraduate thesis, I was writing about the cultural impact of postmodern literature. Initially, I relied on a few online articles that seemed insightful but lacked citations and were published on non-academic websites. Applying the CRAAP Test helped me identify that these sources were not reliable—they failed in terms of authority (no credible author or academic affiliation) and accuracy (information could not be verified). Instead, I turned to peer-reviewed journals and books from recognized scholars in the field, ensuring my arguments were well-supported and credible.
Had I used this strategy earlier in the research process, I could have saved significant time spent filtering through unreliable materials. Going forward, I always apply the CRAAP criteria when assessing sources, especially for academic and professional writing.
Discussion Forum Interaction
I look forward to hearing how others assess sources and whether strategies like the CRAAP Test resonate with their experiences. For example, do you prioritize one criterion (e.g., authority or currency) over others, depending on the nature of your research? I’m curious to know if anyone has different methods or tools for source evaluation and how effective they find them.
For example, during my undergraduate thesis, I was writing about the cultural impact of postmodern literature. Initially, I relied on a few online articles that seemed insightful but lacked citations and were published on non-academic websites. Applying the CRAAP Test helped me identify that these sources were not reliable—they failed in terms of authority (no credible author or academic affiliation) and accuracy (information could not be verified). Instead, I turned to peer-reviewed journals and books from recognized scholars in the field, ensuring my arguments were well-supported and credible.
Had I used this strategy earlier in the research process, I could have saved significant time spent filtering through unreliable materials. Going forward, I always apply the CRAAP criteria when assessing sources, especially for academic and professional writing.
Discussion Forum Interaction
I look forward to hearing how others assess sources and whether strategies like the CRAAP Test resonate with their experiences. For example, do you prioritize one criterion (e.g., authority or currency) over others, depending on the nature of your research? I’m curious to know if anyone has different methods or tools for source evaluation and how effective they find them.
When I am doing research for a project, I typically use Google to get an idea of what information is available on that subject. Once I have found specific sources that seem legitimate, I will apply the ADAM method to it. This allows me to make sure that it is a good, reliable source for what I am doing. It can be difficult sometimes to find scholarly sources but in this section, it listed a number of databases that I will be able to use in the future and I am happy about that because it should help streamline my productivity.
I like how you mentioned using the ADAM method to assess sources—it’s such a practical way to ensure reliability! Google is definitely a great starting point to get an overview of a topic, but I agree that finding scholarly sources can sometimes be challenging.
I’m glad the section introduced you to some databases that can help streamline your research. Have you tried using any specific databases yet? I’ve found that platforms like PubMed or Google Scholar are particularly useful for accessing peer-reviewed articles, especially for technical or scientific topics.
Also, I’d love to hear more about how you apply the ADAM method. Are there any specific steps within it that you find most valuable or that make the biggest difference in evaluating a source?
I’m glad the section introduced you to some databases that can help streamline your research. Have you tried using any specific databases yet? I’ve found that platforms like PubMed or Google Scholar are particularly useful for accessing peer-reviewed articles, especially for technical or scientific topics.
Also, I’d love to hear more about how you apply the ADAM method. Are there any specific steps within it that you find most valuable or that make the biggest difference in evaluating a source?
Considering my experiences with find and assessing sources has been decently simple, using scholarly sources helps with trusting the source since I know it is coming from a good place. A lot of sources I look for have been peer reviewed by noteworthy individuals and have multiple references. One of the strategies I used that was mentioned in this course would be using keywords, this helps narrow down specific sources that directly relate to the topic I am using, thinks like and, or, and not are super helpful.
In reply to First post
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Je trouve que que c'est toujours efficace et très fiable de se fier aux évaluations par pairs.
In my experience, evaluating sources is critical for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information I use, especially in academic and professional contexts. One strategy that has been particularly helpful for me is checking the author’s credentials and the publication’s credibility.
For instance, while researching for a project on brain tumor segmentation in biomedical engineering, I came across a paper that seemed relevant and promising. Before relying on it, I checked the authors’ backgrounds and affiliations. I discovered that the authors were leading researchers in the field, affiliated with reputable institutions, which gave me confidence in the quality of their work. Additionally, the paper was published in a peer-reviewed journal, further ensuring its credibility. This strategy saved me from using questionable or low-quality sources, which could have negatively impacted my project.
This approach is something I apply frequently now, not just in academic work but also when evaluating news articles or other online information. It ensures that I rely on trustworthy information, helping me make informed decisions.
Looking back, I think this strategy would have been equally helpful in my earlier research projects. For example, during a high school assignment, I used a source that later turned out to be inaccurate because I didn’t evaluate it carefully. If I had followed this strategy, I could have avoided the oversight.
What strategies have been most useful for you in evaluating sources? Do you think verifying an author’s credentials is always enough, or are there other key steps you would prioritize?
For instance, while researching for a project on brain tumor segmentation in biomedical engineering, I came across a paper that seemed relevant and promising. Before relying on it, I checked the authors’ backgrounds and affiliations. I discovered that the authors were leading researchers in the field, affiliated with reputable institutions, which gave me confidence in the quality of their work. Additionally, the paper was published in a peer-reviewed journal, further ensuring its credibility. This strategy saved me from using questionable or low-quality sources, which could have negatively impacted my project.
This approach is something I apply frequently now, not just in academic work but also when evaluating news articles or other online information. It ensures that I rely on trustworthy information, helping me make informed decisions.
Looking back, I think this strategy would have been equally helpful in my earlier research projects. For example, during a high school assignment, I used a source that later turned out to be inaccurate because I didn’t evaluate it carefully. If I had followed this strategy, I could have avoided the oversight.
What strategies have been most useful for you in evaluating sources? Do you think verifying an author’s credentials is always enough, or are there other key steps you would prioritize?
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is assessing the credibility of the author and publisher. This involves checking the author’s qualifications, affiliations, and expertise in the subject matter, as well as ensuring the publisher is reputable and unbiased.
During a project on healthcare logistics, I had to research the impact of technology on medical courier services. I found an article that seemed relevant but noticed it was published on a blog rather than an academic journal or trusted industry site. By investigating the author’s credentials, I discovered they had no background in healthcare or logistics, and their references were minimal. Applying the credibility-check strategy, I dismissed this source and instead relied on articles from recognized healthcare organizations and logistics journals.
During a project on healthcare logistics, I had to research the impact of technology on medical courier services. I found an article that seemed relevant but noticed it was published on a blog rather than an academic journal or trusted industry site. By investigating the author’s credentials, I discovered they had no background in healthcare or logistics, and their references were minimal. Applying the credibility-check strategy, I dismissed this source and instead relied on articles from recognized healthcare organizations and logistics journals.
I think this is something I will start doing. Usually, I will look at the site that the writing is published on and make my decision but there is no harm going the extra mile. BY looking into the author as well.
Im going try using that method
Assessing the credibility of both the author and the publisher is an essential strategy for evaluating sources effectively. This means thoroughly checking the author’s qualifications, affiliations, and expertise in the relevant subject matter, while also ensuring that the publisher is reputable and unbiased.
During my project on healthcare logistics, I focused on the impact of technology on medical courier services. I came across an article that initially seemed relevant, but I quickly realized it was published on a blog, not in an academic journal or a trusted industry site. Upon investigating the author's credentials, I found that they lacked a background in healthcare or logistics, and their references were minimal at best. Confident in my approach, I dismissed this unreliable source and opted to rely on articles from respected healthcare organizations and recognized logistics journals instead.
During my project on healthcare logistics, I focused on the impact of technology on medical courier services. I came across an article that initially seemed relevant, but I quickly realized it was published on a blog, not in an academic journal or a trusted industry site. Upon investigating the author's credentials, I found that they lacked a background in healthcare or logistics, and their references were minimal at best. Confident in my approach, I dismissed this unreliable source and opted to rely on articles from respected healthcare organizations and recognized logistics journals instead.
In my experience, evaluating sources is crucial, especially with the abundance of information available. The CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) has been particularly helpful.
For example, while researching climate change, I used the CRAAP test to filter out unreliable sources. I checked the publication date (Currency) to ensure the information was up-to-date, assessed the relevance to my topic (Relevance), verified the authors' credentials (Authority), cross-checked information with other reputable sources (Accuracy), and considered the purpose of the source (Purpose).
Using the CRAAP test, I compiled high-quality sources that strengthened my research paper and improved my critical thinking skills. This strategy has been invaluable in navigating the vast sea of information and selecting reliable sources. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enhance their research and source evaluation skills.
For example, while researching climate change, I used the CRAAP test to filter out unreliable sources. I checked the publication date (Currency) to ensure the information was up-to-date, assessed the relevance to my topic (Relevance), verified the authors' credentials (Authority), cross-checked information with other reputable sources (Accuracy), and considered the purpose of the source (Purpose).
Using the CRAAP test, I compiled high-quality sources that strengthened my research paper and improved my critical thinking skills. This strategy has been invaluable in navigating the vast sea of information and selecting reliable sources. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enhance their research and source evaluation skills.
Hello Javon,
Using the CRAAP test sounds like a great way to evaluate sources. Our reading for this unit mentioned the ADAM method of evaluation, which stands for:
Age (use more recent sources)
Depth (use scholarly articles which go in depth about the topic)
Author (what are his/her credentials and possible biases)
Money (who funds the website or publication).
When I go to research anything I try my best to find papers that have been peer reviewed for published by experts in that field. When using websites after I am finished reading, I will scroll to the bottom to find the date that it was last updated. I will also take the information that was given to me by that website and compare it to other information that I have found. I typically try to find more than one source that covers the topic that I am researching. I compare their findings with each other this way I have a clear picture of what I am looking for. It does take me a while to find a source that I am happy with however, when I do, I am usually able to use that source for most of my research.
Hello Marquita,
I find that it pays off to cross-check my research information with other sources, like you are doing. I'd rather do this extra work and have a project of which I am confident, rather than having a reader call me out for inaccurate information.
I had to research papers and teachers would only allow .gov or .org sources . I want allowed to use wikipedia . But I was able to do it .
I haven't had any opportunity to actually use any of the given strategies in this section of assessing sources. Although, I am very happy that I learned a lot on how to actually do one properly. I like the contrast given between the credible sources such as scholarly materials and other types of materials. I also like the sites given in this section that I can use to sift a material if it's credible or not.
One strategy I find helpful when evaluating sources is checking the author’s credentials. For example, during a digital literacy project, I almost used a blog with no credible author but switched to a peer-reviewed article by a university researcher after verifying their expertise. This approach saves time and ensures my sources are reliable. Have you found checking credentials helpful, or do you use a different strategy?
One helpful strategy for evaluating sources is checking the author’s credibility and expertise. For example, while researching for a paper on climate change, I came across articles from both academic journals and blogs. Verifying the credentials of the authors helped me distinguish reliable sources written by scientists and researchers from opinion pieces lacking evidence. This strategy ensures the information I use is accurate and trustworthy, which is crucial for producing high-quality work. It would have saved me time and improved the quality of my research in past projects had I consistently applied it earlier.
I am most comfortable using peer reviewed articles when writing a research paper. However, I've found it difficult at times to find peer reviewed materials without having to pay for them. I have been taking online classes for a few years and have not used my school’s library services. This section of the course encouraged students to talk with a librarian to help find peer reviewed sources and scholarly publications. In the future, I will seek the assistance of my school’s librarians to find the best materials for my research.
Also, once I find credible works for my research, I will often go to some of the sources cited in these works to find further information for my project. This is a great way to find more, reliable information within one subject area.
In reply to First post
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
I usually look for articles in PubMed, then filter them according to Google Scholar criteria I find about the author and, finally, I try to find the Sci Hub equivalent using the information I found on PubMed.
I totally agree. Relying on peer-reviewed articles are much safer.
I am not in the academic field and don't really go scouring for peer-reviewed research articles, but I do rely on the internet for a lot of my information. I don't tend to give the mainstream media a lot of consideration due to the fact that they are mainly corporate entities with their own sponsors and agendas. One example is in the reporting on the war in Ukraine, in which you will never find any mainstream reporting contradicting the official narrative. I believe that to know the full picture you need to know both sides to every story and one of the best sources I have found is a Youtube journalist by the name of Patrick Lancaster who produced on the ground reporting from the other side of the front line supported by crowdfunded donations. And the frontline footage was more up close than I've seen from CNN and other mainstream orgs.
sometimes i feel like sooomany sources are avialble and at times i also feel that more sources could be available which of course is harder
Over the years I have learned to better research the credibility of sources. Peer reviewd articles, trust worthy data bases. I priorize "safe search" using peer-reviewed sources as often as possible. In the digital age it has become increasingly easier to spread misinformation due to social media. I fact even the news sources many times as well.
great agreed with you
The Bible had the ancestor of all man as Adam, but all current men are descendants of Noah and his three sons. I wanted to find out what the descendants of the three sons were. So I googled it. I found with two or three scores that the sons of Japheth were the Mongols and the far easterners, whereas the descendants of Shem were the Persians, Arabs, and Jews. The sons of Ham are thought to be African Babylonians and Syrians.
In my experience, when evaluating sources for a research project on the "Impact of Eating Habits on Academic Performance," I found that one of the most helpful strategies was assessing the credibility of the author or organization behind the source. I focused on finding reputable journals, experts in nutrition, and established academic institutions to ensure the sources I used were reliable. For example, I used studies published by well-known universities and medical centers to support my argument, as their research tends to be peer-reviewed and based on solid data.
This strategy was incredibly helpful because it ensured that I was using high-quality, trustworthy information that could be defended during my presentation or in my paper. On the other hand, I encountered sources that, while interesting, lacked proper citations or were from organizations with unclear credentials. These sources didn’t meet my standards and would have weakened my argument if I had included them.
I would recommend this strategy to anyone researching, as it helps establish the reliability of the information and enhances the overall strength of one's work. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all reputable sources will be relevant, so it’s still necessary to assess the content in relation to the specific research question.
This strategy was incredibly helpful because it ensured that I was using high-quality, trustworthy information that could be defended during my presentation or in my paper. On the other hand, I encountered sources that, while interesting, lacked proper citations or were from organizations with unclear credentials. These sources didn’t meet my standards and would have weakened my argument if I had included them.
I would recommend this strategy to anyone researching, as it helps establish the reliability of the information and enhances the overall strength of one's work. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all reputable sources will be relevant, so it’s still necessary to assess the content in relation to the specific research question.
I typically rely on sources like peer reviewed publications and .gov or .edu websites and then cross reference what I find. Occasionally I'll google something's reputation to see what arguments may be made against the source
I am very interested in how nutrition relates to positive health outcomes. Unfortunately, many sources, included government agencies, which should be reliable are not. The food pyramid comes to mind. For years the American population was told eating a diet of primarily starches was ideal. Better analyzing facts shows how ego, money and bad politics promoted an idea which has been detrimental to overall health outcomes.
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose), which I found useful while researching Liberia’s post-conflict communication landscape. I initially came across a blog post with compelling arguments, but applying the CRAAP test revealed it was outdated, lacked citations, and had no identifiable author, making it unreliable. Instead, I prioritized recent peer-reviewed studies and reports from reputable organizations like the UN and the World Bank. This approach ensured my research was based on credible and accurate information, helping me avoid misinformation and bias.
A personal experience where the "currency" aspect of evaluating sources proved particularly helpful was when researching law schools based in Florida that offer online degrees and is accredited by the American Bar Association.
My Google search results were quite lengthy, but when I looked closer, I realized I had to narrow my search to convenience and affordability of online courses, by doing so I was able to review articles from The Florida ScoreBoard and U.S. News and World Report, both named Florida as #1 in the U.S. for higher education for the last seven years, considered the gold standard college ranking system.
From this research, I was able to identify the percentage of undergraduates that were enrolled exclusively in distance education at top rated Florida based colleges, also highlighting yearly tuition, fees for a Florida resident and which colleges offered a BA in Political Science online.
Referencing information from multiple peer reviewed and trustworthy resources that are not biased gave me the confidence to make an informed decision about which college was the right fit for me.
My Google search results were quite lengthy, but when I looked closer, I realized I had to narrow my search to convenience and affordability of online courses, by doing so I was able to review articles from The Florida ScoreBoard and U.S. News and World Report, both named Florida as #1 in the U.S. for higher education for the last seven years, considered the gold standard college ranking system.
From this research, I was able to identify the percentage of undergraduates that were enrolled exclusively in distance education at top rated Florida based colleges, also highlighting yearly tuition, fees for a Florida resident and which colleges offered a BA in Political Science online.
Referencing information from multiple peer reviewed and trustworthy resources that are not biased gave me the confidence to make an informed decision about which college was the right fit for me.
One strategy for evaluating sources that has been particularly helpful in my experience is checking the credibility of the author and publication. For example, when researching for a college paper on climate change, I came across an article that made bold claims contradicting mainstream scientific consensus. Before using it, I investigated the author’s credentials and found that they had no background in environmental science. Additionally, the publication was known for biased reporting rather than factual accuracy. This strategy helped me avoid unreliable information and use more credible, peer-reviewed sources instead.
Had I not evaluated the author and publication, I might have included misleading information in my paper. This experience reinforced the importance of critically assessing sources before trusting them. I’d love to hear if others have had similar experiences with unreliable sources and how they handled them!
Had I not evaluated the author and publication, I might have included misleading information in my paper. This experience reinforced the importance of critically assessing sources before trusting them. I’d love to hear if others have had similar experiences with unreliable sources and how they handled them!
In reply to Mikkie Gumatay
Re: Discussion: Finding and Assessing Sources
Well explained.
To be honest, this has been an eye-opener. I had never thought about evaluating information so critically and in-depth.
Of course, I don’t believe everything I read, but for example, I always thought Wikipedia was a reliable source. However, since the public has free access, there is a risk of encountering false information. From now on, I will be more investigative and critical of my sources.
I think this has been a truly in-depth topic and an important part of this course. I will especially implement the ADAM method from now on!
Considering my own experience with finding and assessing sources, I would say I most often seek out peer-reviewed articles and scholarly journals to ensure credibility. While working on my thesis about developing speaking skills using activities I relied on academic databases like Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis.
I have only ever sought out sources digitally and often use a database provided by my university. In the past, I have come across blogs and opinion-based articles that seemed relevant but lacked proper citations. Over time, I learned to prioritize research papers, books by experts, and articles published in reputable journals to ensure accuracy and reliability. I find that using verified academic sources that have been reviewed by experts is the best way to gather trustworthy information.
I have only ever sought out sources digitally and often use a database provided by my university. In the past, I have come across blogs and opinion-based articles that seemed relevant but lacked proper citations. Over time, I learned to prioritize research papers, books by experts, and articles published in reputable journals to ensure accuracy and reliability. I find that using verified academic sources that have been reviewed by experts is the best way to gather trustworthy information.
I haven’t personally had experiences with evaluating sources, but I can draw from general strategies and how they might apply in real-life situations. Let’s consider a common scenario: when researching a topic for an academic paper or even making an informed decision about something, like purchasing a product.
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is considering the author’s credibility—this involves looking at the author’s qualifications, expertise, and experience with the topic. For instance, if you were researching climate change, an article by a climate scientist with years of experience and peer-reviewed publications would be more trustworthy than one written by someone without any relevant background.
Let’s take a personal experience as an example: imagine you’re planning to buy a new laptop and you’re reading reviews. A review from a tech expert or a well-known tech website, like CNET or The Verge, would be much more reliable than a random blog post with no clear author or citations. In this case, evaluating the credibility of the source and its author would directly help you make a more informed and confident purchasing decision.
In general, evaluating the author’s background would have been extremely helpful in situations like that. It would prevent you from falling for biased opinions or misinformation from sources with questionable credentials. By looking at the expertise and reputation of the author, you can be more confident that the information you're reading is both accurate and relevant.
One effective strategy for evaluating sources is considering the author’s credibility—this involves looking at the author’s qualifications, expertise, and experience with the topic. For instance, if you were researching climate change, an article by a climate scientist with years of experience and peer-reviewed publications would be more trustworthy than one written by someone without any relevant background.
Let’s take a personal experience as an example: imagine you’re planning to buy a new laptop and you’re reading reviews. A review from a tech expert or a well-known tech website, like CNET or The Verge, would be much more reliable than a random blog post with no clear author or citations. In this case, evaluating the credibility of the source and its author would directly help you make a more informed and confident purchasing decision.
In general, evaluating the author’s background would have been extremely helpful in situations like that. It would prevent you from falling for biased opinions or misinformation from sources with questionable credentials. By looking at the expertise and reputation of the author, you can be more confident that the information you're reading is both accurate and relevant.
Well in my experience whenever I find something on internet It's always accurate And reliable from peer reviews It's almost best and my experience is really good on internet
I think using google scholar would have been helpful to me in high school. I spent a very long time looking through books in the library or unreliable website sources that would deduct me points later. Having one place where there are sited sources, is pretty convenient. Again, shouldn't be your only way of finding information, but a great place to start, or finish really if you needed to site a certain number to support your paper.
Using the AND function as part of the search query has helped me many times while searching for legitimate resources. It really helps me define my search better and receive more accurate results. One thing I learned in the unit was the ADAM approach. I think this could have helped me and will help me in the future to have a better idea of how credible the source is.
I'm currently no longer a student, and haven't done any serious or in-depth research since my last year of university, about 5-and-half years ago. I'm taking this course because I want to learn more and give myself the tools to think independently.
I believe the sections on things like evaluating sources and conducting searches on the internet will be invaluable now, and would have been when I was in school. There are things you know on a surface-level like "find reliable sources", but being able to understand what that means and how to go about it in more detail is really helpful.
I believe the sections on things like evaluating sources and conducting searches on the internet will be invaluable now, and would have been when I was in school. There are things you know on a surface-level like "find reliable sources", but being able to understand what that means and how to go about it in more detail is really helpful.
I have a far better grasp on how to evaluate sources now. It's important to look into the actual authoritativeness of a source rather than simply relying on how authoritative is sounds.
I was reading an audiobook that mentioned that certain medical products lose a significant amount of efficacy if research funded by the product manufacturers were removed from meta analysis. This caused me to completely reframe the credence I previously, automatically gave to peer reviewed, randomized control trials. Now I make sure to determine the authors/funding of the data and also take that into consideration when weighing evidence for or against products.
I found this section very helpful for testing materials outside of peer reviewed articles. The way it is organized helped me see how to systematically critique sources in a more efficient way. I don't like to limit myself to only research articles as I also like to have a big picture view that books or other reputable articles can provide.
One strategy I will always believe is most effective, is to scrutinize the motivation/biases of the writer. Themes that are heavily consistent in their writing may be attempted influence. Evaluating the source is doubly important as the contents.
I have a experience
I remember researching climate change data for a paper and coming across a flashy website that claimed to have “groundbreaking” statistics. Something about it felt off, so I applied the “CRAAP test” (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) to evaluate whether this source was credible. Once I looked into the site’s “Authority” and tried to find its credibility, I realized that the authors did not cite any reputable scientific organizations. It turned out to be a blog riddled with opinions, rather than a peer-reviewed source. Had I not double-checked who was behind the data, I might have used questionable information in my research. The real power of this strategy is that it takes me beyond superficial judgments—like the site’s professional design—and leads me to focus on verifiable credentials, up-to-date content, and a clear understanding of the source’s motivations.
In my experience, the CRAAP test (checking Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) has been really helpful. For example, while researching for a project, I found an article with good information, but when I checked the date, it was over 15 years old. Using the CRAAP test made me realize the data was outdated, so I searched for a more recent source. This strategy helps me avoid using unreliable or irrelevant information, and it keeps my work more accurate and trustworthy.
D Sai I appreciate you enlightening us on the CRAAP test as I've never heard of this acronym before. I also agree with the dating of our sources as we know that new developments in various fields change and are expanded on daily, so having timely pieces of sources also bring fresh current takes to the topic of discussion.
Sourcing information in today’s digital world feels like navigating a dense jungle—there’s so much to explore, but not everything is safe to rely on. One strategy that has been my compass in this journey is verifying sources through cross-referencing and credibility checks.
I learned this the hard way while working on my thesis about the employability of Liberal Arts graduates. At first, I relied on articles that seemed informative, only to realize later that some lacked credible authors or were filled with outdated statistics. That experience taught me the importance of using scholarly databases and government reports as my foundation while keeping an open mind to diverse perspectives.
Now, every time I assess a source, I ask myself: Who wrote this? Why was it written? Can I verify this information elsewhere? These simple questions have transformed the way I approach research, making me a more discerning thinker. I’d love to hear if others have had similar “aha” moments when evaluating sources!
I learned this the hard way while working on my thesis about the employability of Liberal Arts graduates. At first, I relied on articles that seemed informative, only to realize later that some lacked credible authors or were filled with outdated statistics. That experience taught me the importance of using scholarly databases and government reports as my foundation while keeping an open mind to diverse perspectives.
Now, every time I assess a source, I ask myself: Who wrote this? Why was it written? Can I verify this information elsewhere? These simple questions have transformed the way I approach research, making me a more discerning thinker. I’d love to hear if others have had similar “aha” moments when evaluating sources!
In my own experience, I like to corroborate different sources of information to effectively decentralize the knowledge and remove as much bias as possible.
For example I might read a research article on a particular topic, but because I know there might be an inherent bias by the peer reviewers, publication, or authors to push a certain narrative (whether for financial or ideological reasons), I will also go to a completely different source like social media to see if there are experts on the same topic that agree with that research article, even though they have no affiliation with the reviewers/publication/authors and therefore do not have the same incentive to push any possible agendas.
For example I might read a research article on a particular topic, but because I know there might be an inherent bias by the peer reviewers, publication, or authors to push a certain narrative (whether for financial or ideological reasons), I will also go to a completely different source like social media to see if there are experts on the same topic that agree with that research article, even though they have no affiliation with the reviewers/publication/authors and therefore do not have the same incentive to push any possible agendas.
Geoffrey, I agree with you that sources need to corroborate within any piece argument or paper, that with this it decentralizes the information provided to remove biases; implicit and explicit. In addition to how you advised you utilize your sources, I always look to qualify my argument but also provide contrasting sources from opposition as well to break down their knowledge as well.
The tips here would have really helped me out some years ago. I was doing a research on feminism today and it's effect on society and it was very hard to get information I needed. This was mainly because most of the sources I had were biased, either against or for feminism. I could hardly get unbiased information on feminism today. I wish I'd had knowledge to sites and search engines that would have helped.
It's important
In conclusion, source evaluation is crucial for making informed decisions, especially in an age where unreliable information is easily accessible. Using strategies like cross-referencing information and assessing the credibility of authors helps distinguish trustworthy sources from those that may be biased or inaccurate. These skills are valuable not only in research but also in everyday life, allowing us to make rational and well-informed choices.
In my experience with writing a research paper for a class, one of the most effective strategies for evaluating sources has been assessing the credibility and authority of the authors. This approach proved invaluable in ensuring that my arguments were well-supported and that I was relying on reliable information.
For instance, while researching a topic on climate change, I came across various articles from different sources. Some were published by established scientific journals, while others came from personal blogs or non-peer-reviewed websites. Initially, I was drawn to the more accessible articles that presented information in a more straightforward manner. However, I soon realized that many of these sources lacked the rigor and credibility necessary for an academic paper.
To apply the strategy of assessing authorship, I began by looking at the qualifications and backgrounds of the authors of the articles I was considering. I checked their academic credentials, areas of expertise, and publication history. This process led me to prioritize sources authored by climatologists and environmental scientists who had extensive research experience in their fields. For example, I found an article published in a peer-reviewed journal authored by a leading expert in climate science, which provided robust data and analysis. The credibility of the source significantly enhanced my paper's foundation and allowed me to present well-supported arguments.
Furthermore, evaluating the publication itself was another crucial component of this strategy. I focused on journals and publishers known for their stringent peer-review processes, ensuring that the studies I cited had undergone critical examination by other experts in the field before being published.
In retrospect, this strategy not only helped me select high-quality sources but also instilled confidence in my writing. By grounding my arguments in credible and authoritative works, I was able to enhance the overall quality and persuasive power of my paper. Therefore, assessing the credibility and authority of authors remains a vital strategy for evaluating sources that I would recommend to anyone engaged in academic research.
For instance, while researching a topic on climate change, I came across various articles from different sources. Some were published by established scientific journals, while others came from personal blogs or non-peer-reviewed websites. Initially, I was drawn to the more accessible articles that presented information in a more straightforward manner. However, I soon realized that many of these sources lacked the rigor and credibility necessary for an academic paper.
To apply the strategy of assessing authorship, I began by looking at the qualifications and backgrounds of the authors of the articles I was considering. I checked their academic credentials, areas of expertise, and publication history. This process led me to prioritize sources authored by climatologists and environmental scientists who had extensive research experience in their fields. For example, I found an article published in a peer-reviewed journal authored by a leading expert in climate science, which provided robust data and analysis. The credibility of the source significantly enhanced my paper's foundation and allowed me to present well-supported arguments.
Furthermore, evaluating the publication itself was another crucial component of this strategy. I focused on journals and publishers known for their stringent peer-review processes, ensuring that the studies I cited had undergone critical examination by other experts in the field before being published.
In retrospect, this strategy not only helped me select high-quality sources but also instilled confidence in my writing. By grounding my arguments in credible and authoritative works, I was able to enhance the overall quality and persuasive power of my paper. Therefore, assessing the credibility and authority of authors remains a vital strategy for evaluating sources that I would recommend to anyone engaged in academic research.
In relations to my own experience researching through academia, I tend to gravitate to peer-reviewed sources and databases to sift through sources to determine the authority, reliability, and validity of the sources in regards to my claim. Whenever I start a research paper or an argumentative paper my first thought is to find sources that are credible, support my claim, and other sources that can contrast as well as dismantle logical reasoning in the opposition of my claim.
While I don't have personal experiences, I can reflect on common practices people use when evaluating sources and how these strategies can be helpful. One strategy often used is assessing the credibility of the author and publication. For example, in a situation where I needed to research the impacts of climate change, I might have come across an article from a well-known scientific journal, like Nature, compared to one from an unverified blog. Evaluating the author’s credentials and the reputation of the publication could have been a key factor in deciding which source to trust. A peer-reviewed article by a climate scientist would have been more reliable than a personal opinion piece from an anonymous blogger.
I often see people citing social media posts when talking about current events and I think it would be useful to evaluate the motivations of the person or entity
In my experience, using peer-reviewed sources from trusted databases has been incredibly helpful when evaluating sources. For instance, when researching a topic for a recent project, I focused on articles from JSTOR and Google Scholar. These databases offered credible, fact-checked information that helped ensure the accuracy of my work. One strategy I found especially useful was checking the publication date to ensure the sources were current, which was crucial for the evolving subject I was studying. This strategy allowed me to avoid outdated or less reliable information.
I'll be sure to review others' posts to see how they approach source evaluation and share insights!
I'll be sure to review others' posts to see how they approach source evaluation and share insights!